There are also third party utilities that can give you all the fancy 3D effects of windows Vista, as well as other effects such as Beryl style desktop cubes which also help to increase productivity. Third party vendors provide all the security Windows XP needs with the advantages that if any one security product becomes too bloated, we can switch to a new provider since it's not integrated into the OS like the integrated security systems in Vista.

Alan Turing originally envisaged computers as being machines which could be programmed to emulate any other machine. Microsoft hope to take that away, but limiting what software runs using DRM and other intrusive technologies. By using XP you are keeping control of your own computer and are sending a message to the Microsoft - Hollywood Cartel that they cannot subvert Turing's original and enduring vision for computers as open systems.

Turning down the visual effects. Your computer is to work, not to entertain you so why do you still use all those visual effects? By the way, all those graphics are just a way for Microsoft to sell more Vista copies, they have no professional use whatsoever. Choose Windows Basic as your Theme and reduce the color depth to 16 bits. Also replace your desktop wallpaper with a solid color instead. Just remember your computer is to work and not to entertain you.

Turn off the indexing tool. Vista has still a long way to go before making a good and fast enough indexing tool. It takes ages and it's very inaccurate the integrated desktop search tool and not only it uses a lot of hard disk space, sometimes up to 10 GB just with temporary files on a 80GB hard disk, but also makes your computer more prone to crashes because of the complexity of the system. If you want some good searches on your computer I suggest Copernic Desktop search instead, but even so... if you can, stay away from desktop search tools.

Clean your hard drive. Uninstall all the software you don't use anymore and delete all the files that are not related to your work right here and right now. Backup them if you think you might need them later. A huge number of files on the hard disk makes it super slow because of the way Windows writes the files in the hard disk. Also a huge number of files makes the disk prone to get fragmented and if you know a thing or two about fragmentation you know it's the number one reason for hard disk failure because of the extra effort to retrieve any piece of information from it.

Defragment the entire hard disk. Windows has a reasonably good defragmentation tool. Use it! If you can afford I suggest you to buy the Diskeeper 2008 because it defragments your disk on the fly.

Use the scheduled tasks to make Windows do all the dirty work for you when you are not using the computer, for example in the evening. This way you have your machine running great all the time. Clean it every week and defragment it every two weeks.

6- Increase your RAM Memory. I use 2.5 GB of it in my laptop and that's good enough.

Increase the number of virtual RAM and Pagination File size. Vista thinks he is good enough to manage this for you but I ensure you it's not. Force the Windows to use the number you give to it. I use 10GB of virtual RAM in my 80GB hard drive. It's not dangerous. Windows used to us 0GB of virtual RAM and that used to make a lot of "Not Enough Memory" messages. This way you can open almost an unlimited number of programs, software and applications with no problem.

Now restart your machine and check the differences. If your computer is not 5 times faster yet, you really need to buy a new one.

In a nutshell, the issue of computer speed can be summarized in two words - system resources. What the system boasts as hardware in terms of memory capacity (Random Access Memory) and CPU clock-rate (processor speed), and what demands you are making of these resources in terms of usage.

First, examining matters relating to usage as I feel this is best to be looked at before hardware. If your computer is running slow, chances are you making big demands of it. Your hard-drive and system tray might be overly full. Check your hard-drive capacity to see how much free space you have. Ideally, you should have at least 25%. If you don't, then remove unused applications to make the space available. This is important as when memory demands are great, the RAM often falls back on the hard-drive for additional memory space.

Next, you might wish to check how many programs you are loading on start-up. To do this, I recommend you look at the bottom right of your screen in the system tray area (for MS operating system). If there are lots of icons on display, go through them and close those that you don't need or wish to run. To stop them loading in the first place, consider downloading the quick-start utility that will enable you to stop them loading at start-up. Or, you can usually just manually configure the programs not to.

Don't forget to clean and defrag the registry once in a while. Again, you can find good free downloads for cleaning the registry. And to defrag, simply use the available tool within the Microsoft operating systems (systems tool, defrag).

Also contemplate your computer's configurations. What graphics mode are you using? If running in a very high resolution and color scheme, you are placing high demands on the system resources. Remember the formula: better graphics equals slower speeds. Consider lowering your graphical configurations and your computer will become faster.

System utility applications will tweak the system for you. Consider purchasing one, or maybe obtaining a free down-loadable application. The one I use, Advanced Windows Care, will go through a system performance checklist at the click of a button. Likewise it comes with a memory cleaner, which can free-up hundreds of megabytes of memory when used.

If still unhappy with the performance after doing these things, then I would recommend hardware changes. Check your memory specifications, more RAM is usually the answer. Buy an appropriate memory stick of say 32MB, and slot it in to an available port (assuming you have one). This will boost your available memory and allow for greater system demands. Likewise you might want to consider purchasing a new hard-drive if you need to store more files, and don't have enough space on your current one.

Follow these recommendations (be it with MS operating systems or other) and your computer will start running faster. You will see a noticeable improvement in system performance, and will be able to work and play more productively.

So what are we actually going to be doing you may ask? I will be showing you how to turn off some of the unwanted and useless programs that are running on your computer so you will be able to do many more things with your computer.

First, we'll check all of the things that are running on your computer. I bet you don't even know what half of these processes are. Simply hit Ctrl + Alt + Del. Then click on the processes tab. Look at all that junk! You don't even need a quarter of that stuff running on your computer.

Next, i will show you how to shut them down. Click on the "Start" menu and click on "run" or hold the "windows key" and press "R". When the run box appears type in "MSCONFIG" (without the "'s of course). Wait for the window to fully load. Now, go over to the services tab. On the bottom check the check box the "Hide all Microsoft Services". This is because most, if not all, of the Microsoft Services you need to run your computer.

Now you can start un-checking boxes that are not important. Say you have "iPod Service" running and you dont have an iPod anymore, you would uncheck that box. Another example is "PnkBsterA". It is for a game i dont play anymore. Only try to uncheck boxes that have an Unknown Manufacturer. Go thorugh the whole list, using your own judgement, to shut down programs.

After you have completed the "Services" tab, do the same thing with the "StartUp" tab. I would leave a majorty of these programs running but you can shut down a few if you wish. Look for the ones that don't have the "HKLM/Software/Windowns" or "HKCU/Software/Windows" location becuase these are required when to run your operating system.

Finnally, click the "OK" button. The MSCONFIG window will close and another pop-up box will come up. It will ask you to restsart your computer. I recomend doing it imediatly but if you choose to, you can do it later. Now when your computer restarts, look how much faster it is and how little time it takes to boot up. One more thing, follow this guide often because you are always installing new things on your computer. Thanks for reading and Good Luck!

1. A Computer Just To Work

   If you use your computer to anything else than just work you will be not 100% productive since you will be tempted to install software you don't need and games that will just waste your time. Delete ALL the programs you don't need to work. Buy one computer for entertainment and play with that computer instead.

2. All your tools must be just one click away

   If you have to click twice or more to open or get what you want you are not 100% productive and remember you only have one life because you are not a cat! All your shortcuts must be in the deskbar so you can launch all you want with one click. To access your documents quickly I recommend you to install Google Desktop ONLY if you still use Windows XP. Vista users use the default desktop search.

3. Email productivity is crucial

   You have more important things to do than checking your mail all the time. Gmail is the best and the fastest mail because not only you don't need to install any software to make it fast but also you have powerful tools to search and tag all your mails easily.

4. Browser productivity is the single most important producivity improvement you must make

   Install Firefox 3 as fast as you can. It's not the fastest or the most secure browser, but overall it's the best one because of compatibility issues and website interaction. Don't install any theme or you risk having fun instead of working. The only add on you need is Stumble Upon toolbar to submit your pages to the comunity but you should hide the toolbar while you are not submitting to see less distractions.

5. Delete all the files from your desktop

   My computer, Recycle, Documents, hide them all. You don't need them that often and you can access them faster if you use Google Desktop in Windows XP or the Start Button in Windows Vista because most of the time you are browsing or writing and closing all the Windows requires not only time but a lot of patience too.

6. Get a nice wallpaper because it's the face of your computer

   Don't get one with hot chicks or cars. Instead get a professional one like Windows Vista Ultimate Wallpaper. Get it on Google. It's looks very good and professional and it boost morale to work.

7. Configure your computer regular tasks to be done automatically

   Defragment, Disk Cleaning, Anti Virus and more sould be done 100% automatic with zero user interaction.

8. Delete ALL the files you don't need to work

   I mean all the images, music and videos as well as Firefox Bookmarks for sites you don't need to work. They will just be there to distract you.

9. The U.S. Navy knows something that most people don't know

   To achieve 100% focus you need to see only the essencial buttons to command a powerful and dangerous submarine so the soldiers cannot have more than 11 lights on in the submarine control pannel because human beings cannot hadle so much input. This means you should clean your computer from all distractions. Clean your office as well. You need only the essencial input to work 100% concentrated.

10. Work with your browser in full screen mode

    This way you will see less buttons and attention messages from many programs and you can work longer and more concentrated. Just press F11 while using your browser.

11. Put Media Player streaming a good radio with music only

    If you play your own music you will always feel tempted to choose this music or that one instead. With just one radio you know you can't choose so you concentrate on working.

12. Peace of mind is absolutely important to work better

    Password protect your computer and all your log in sites with a very strong password from a password generator javascript website and save all those passwords in a password protected document.

Now go back to work and see how faster you are working now!

1. You can start by going to you Start Menu > Run and type in "msconfig" without the quotes. Go over to the startup tab and uncheck all the programs that you don't need or use. You can now close that window.
2. Now you can go back to Start Menu > Run and type "prefetch" without quotes. A window should pop up. Select all files in the window and delete them. Don't worry you don't need anything in this folder. Everything in here is for startup information. Information for programs to start but most people have uninstalled programs that used to startup when they turned on there computer and are no longer there waisting valuable startup time. Without the information there the computer dose not try to start them. Making your startup time shorter.
3. For the last thing to help your computer start up faster is to Defragment your hard drives. Head to your Start Menu > Run once again. type in "dfrg.msc" with out the quotes. A window should pop up and it will have a list of the hard drives you have in your computer. To start click the analyze button. This will tell you if you should do it or not. It is a good idea to test this at least once a month. Now if it says you don't need to defragment you can close the window. If not click defragment button. Now only bad part of this is it will take a wile to defragment so grab some coffee or what ever you like to drink while waiting.
4. Now you can restart your computer

That is my tips for now hope you find them helpful. Don't forget to defragment your computer at least once a month. Take my tips and tell your friends that complain about computer startup problems.

1. Sign up for TalkTalk

   TalkTalk is a great phone company for various reasons. Firstly, it gives you unlimited calls abroad for free and internet up to 10+mbs for free!

2. Download Safari for Free

   Why does everybody say that macs have the best internet in the world? It's because of Safari! Safari has been proved to be over 3-4 times faster than Firefox and even 12 times faster than Internet Explorer.

3. Cool your modem down if it is hot

   Each time your modem is hot it makes you lose connection especially if you have used the internet for more than 3 hours in a row. So the solution is just to turn your modem off and take a break for 10 minutes.

4. Empty Cache

   Especially in Macs, users can empty cache in the option under the safari icon which will empty the cache which the computer keeps each time you go to a website. This will facilitate the browsing a bit.

5. Never use Internet Explorer

   Internet Explorer is the probably one of the slowest internet browsers around up to 12 times slower than Safari and 4 times slower than Firefox. However, Internet Explorer can be very useful but it is a bit slow.

6. Go on 192.168.1.1 and change the setting

   By accessing 192.168.1.1 will allow you to enter the preferences of your router but do not touch some of the settings but only the details of your account with your internet provider.

7. Change your bandwidth to 0%

   On your PC click on Start then run and type in gpedit.msc and expand the administrative templates, then the network tab and high light QoS Packet Scheduler and click on the limit reservable bandwidth and click on the enable option and change the bandwidth to 0% which should increase your internet speed by a lot after restarting it.

8. Trash undesired files

   Files take up space and so slow down your computer so if you trash the undesired ones you will free up some space in your computer which will let you browse on the internet much faster and let you enjoy more the internet.

9. Call your broadband provider

   Even though your internet provider might deny it, they are lying because the internet provider have your file with the allowance of your internet speed so they can decided to give you 1 mb as they can to give you 5 mb or 2 mb.

10. Turn hotspot off

    In countries such as France your hotspot is turned by your internet provider to act as a transmitter to other people using it. If you turn it off on your router (192.168.1.1) you will not only have faster internet but also it will stop people from stealing your internet service next to your house.

Try and you won't be disappointed.

For advanced users

1. Take a look under the hood (for IDE owners). How are your IDE devices configured? If you have more than 1 hard drive, put the master hard drive on the primary IDE channel and the secondary hard drive on the secondary IDE channel (most motherboards have two IDE channels).
2. Place all CDROM drives, DVD readers etc. on the secondary IDE channel (or SCSI bus, etc). This will reduce I/O contention with your master hard drive which should have your OS and apps installed...
3. Remember when I mentioned the location of the swap file? OK, if you have 2 hard drives and you have one on the primary IDE channel and the other on the secondary IDE channel, move the swap file to a partition ON THE SECOND hard drive (on the secondary IDE channel). This will greatly improve system performance as the PC can write to the swap file while loading and running OS and system commands without I/O contention on the primary IDE channel!
4. Take a look under the hood (for SCSI owners) What kind of SCSI do you have? If it's the newer Ultra 160/320 etc cards then guess what? Any devices placed on the same bus will automatically default to the slowest drive on the chain...this means that if you have say, an Ultra 160 SCSI card, and it has an Ultra 160 drive (capable of transferring 160 mb/sec) on the same chain as a SCSI cdrom drive (capable of only 40 mb/sec) then the whole bus slows down to the 40 mb/sec speed...use different chains for the slower devices and maximize those hard drives!
5. Run a utility like WCPUID and check the settings...is your CPU/front speed bus/AGP port running as fast as they should be? If not, check your drivers and BIOS configuration options. Also, are all of your chipset features enabled? If not, then enable them! (usually done in your BIOS!)
6. Dig in to the BIOS...check settings like boot order, for example...is it checking the floppy first? Change this! Select your order to reflect the hard drive first, then CD, then floppy for a noticeable boot time improvement. Also disable any non-used on board peripherals...for instance, - does your motherboard come with an on-board NIC card? Guess what, if you don't use that NIC card and it is enabled it will eat up valuable CPU cycles and can be detrimental to your systems' performance. DISABLE THAT MUTHA! Also, see if you can play with memory timing and CPU clock frequencies (NOTE! This is for expert users only!) Set these timings to "Aggressive" and see what happens in your games and apps...Also, check to see what your video aperature is set to. If you have a video card with 128 megs of on-baord memory, your aperature should be set to this amount too. Read the BIOS owner manual for further non-general performance tricks or improvements! Do you have the latest BIOS firmware version?
7. Under hardware properties, check to see that everything is working properly, and fix any hardware contention issues. You'll see the dreaded yellow exclamation point (!) beside any hardware componenet that is not working correctly.
8. Evaluate the potential for system/hardware upgrades...usually, the best bang for the buck is adding memory so buy all that you can afford (don't go much above 512 megs for Win 98 or ME). If you have a motherboard with an 8x - capable AGP port but you are using an older 4x video card, consider upgrading to an 8x card. You get the idea here...
9. Quit using software pigs like Norton system utilities, etc. These place files everywhere and can be a real system resource hog on lower end PCs.
10. Did I mention to make a good backup? Do it now! Also, while you're at it, run a good virus program with the latest definitions.
11. There are more options to make your system faster, such as overclocking, etc. but (just about) everything I've mentioned in this tech post costs you nothing and will result in faster system performance! Good luck and if you have any questions on how to do anything mentioned here, ask a knowledgeable friend or consult a book, - don't mess up something trying to do something you are not sure of!

Good luck and I'd like to dedicate this post to all of WorldWarez which has given me so much! You're all great, peeps!

Firstly, I will talk about unwanted programs. These take up the most space on your pc.Any programs you do not use or do not help you, delete them!

WARNING!: Do not delete any internal programs needed to run your computer. These include: The programs with pictures of a computer and a disk below it, a picture of a computer tower or a program where your computer makers name is included.

Secondly, deleting browsing history. When you're surfing the net, internet explorer saves every site you visit! Do delete this simply open internet explorer, click on tools then browsing history, then Click delete all; or if you want save something like your cookies, click delete on the others individually

A great program to automatically do this for is CCleaner

Next is to do with the start-up of your computer. When you log into windows, all of your programs load up at once, which makes your computer take time to load. You can stop some programs loading at the start.

WARNING: only un-tick the programs you have installed e.g. Microsoft office. Do not tick a program if you don't know what it does.

To do this, click start, run and type in msconfig and press ok.Then click start-up, then finally, untick programs you want to not load. These are usually at the bottom of the list.

Now the final tip. This is probably for the performance nutters.Click on control panel, system, advanced, performance settings and finally adjust for best performance and apply.

Thanks for reading my guide, hope it helped!

You can uninstall programs to make your computer have more space and virtual memory. Go to control panel, add or remove programs then remove the programs you don't want.

Cleaning your temporary files

You can get rid of your temporary files to make your computer A LOT faster. 30 minutes of regular internet is about 40 megabytes. Eventually, you can have up to 100 megabytes or even 430 megabytes like I did! To get rid of them, first go to your internet browser, go to options, then internet options, then look for CLEAN TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES. Click that and than wait for it to clean. Then, you can clean the cookies, but if you want to save passwords and usernames then don't clean it.

Cleaning your Registry

Cleaning your registry can have many effects such as getting a faster start up time, and more virtual memory. To do this, I suggest you get a program like Abexo Registry Cleaner to clean your registry. First make a backup with the program so that if something goes critically wrong then you can fix it. It wont take long to fix and wont take long to scan.

Download CCleaner (Crap Cleaner)

This program is very good at cleaning “Crap” and is also a good registry cleaner. Run it weekly and you should be clean of “Crap” and have a faster internet/computer. Get it at ccleaner.com

Buy a new computer

If your computer has less than windows 2000, has a graphics card made before 2004, has less than 550 RAM and has a processor less than 1.5 GHz then you need an upgrade. Yeah, you can check all your statuses if you go to control panel and click system. You can get upgrades at Best Buy or at Circuit City and you can also get it online. Upgrades usually cost from $1 - $200.